MUS3088 : Folk Music, Gender and Identity
MUS3088 : Folk Music, Gender and Identity
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Catriona Macdonald
- Lecturer: Mrs Sandra Kerr, Ms Nancy Kerr Elliott, Professor Ian Biddle, Professor Kirsten Gibson
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
To explore critically the topic of gender and identity as expressed from British and European folk music practice.
To explore the place of men, women and other gendered actors in the formation of folk music traditions.
Outline Of Syllabus
Through analysis of contemporary and archival recordings, scores and performances, this module will consider how gender relationships have been represented in folk repertoire. We will examine what song characters and plots can reveal about the societal structures and tropes of the times from which they emerged. Gender tropes surrounding instrumental playing will also be explored. A socio-historical approach is taken, asking how folk music reflected and continues to reflect the attitudes, desires and environments of its performers. We will also consider current discussions surrounding gender and identity in the contemporary UK folk scene.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
By the end of this module, students will:
- Be able to think critically about gender dynamics in these folk traditions.
- Be able to analyse and critique gender political processes in both historical and contemporary folk music traditions.
- Engage in gender-sensitive analysis of folk music performances
Intended Skill Outcomes
Students will be able to
- Contextualise and examine gender-related concerns and topics in folk music practices (and these skills will be transferable to other cultural situations and locations)
- To think critically about gender designations and the consequent ideological and political processes that sustain and/or undermine those designations in British and European folk musics
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Present in Person lecture materials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in Person seminars with associated preparatory tasks |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Present in Person presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Online drop-in tutorial surgeries |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 159 | 1:00 | 159:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lecture materials will introduce key concepts and topics, developing students’ critical thinking and an awareness of critical literature and themes surrounding the topics. In person seminars and workshops/presentations will provide a forum for students to discuss readings and engage critically with the lecture themes and course materials. Tutorials give the opportunity for 1:1 formative feedback and guidance on assessments.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 2 | M | 25 | A 10 minute presentation (maximum 5 slides) based on a set (multiple choice) brief relating to topics covered in module. |
| Essay | 2 | A | 75 | An essay (3000 words) on a brief chosen by the student relating to one or more lecture themes. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A presentation in week 11 will enable students to engage with and explore key critical concepts and issues in this area of study. This will give students the opportunity to further investigate specific aspects of the taught materials, and to articulate and present their ideas in a performative and oral context.
The Essay will assess academic research and writing skills based on module topics.
Students will be offered formative feedback in the form of 1:1 tutorials throughout the semester, and they will also be offered essay tutorials to support devising their own brief for their final essay.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MUS3088's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- MUS3088's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.